Consumption of nutritionally enriched hen eggs enhances endothelium-dependent vasodilation via cyclooygenases’ metabolites in healthy young persons - A randomized study

Abstract

Background Present study aimed to evaluate the effects of enriched hen eggs consumption on the endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) and the role of cyclooxygenases in EDV in microcirculation of young healthy individuals. Methods Participants consumed 3 eggs per day for 3 weeks: Control group (n = 14) consumed regular hen eggs (approximately 0.330 mg of lutein, 1.785 mg of vitamin E, 0.054 mg of selenium and 438 mg of n-3 PUFAs daily) and Nutri4 group (n = 20) consumed enriched eggs (approximately 1.85 mg of lutein, 0.06 mg of selenium, 3.29 mg of vitamin E, and 1026 mg of n-3 PUFAs daily). Skin microvascular blood flow in response to EDV (post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) and iontophoresis of acetylcholine (AChID)) and sodium nitroprusside (SNPID; endothelium-independent) were assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry before and after dietary protocol, with or without 100 mg of indomethacin perorally. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, serum lipid and liver enzymes, anthropometric measurements, protein expression of COX-1, COX-2, nNOS, iNOS, and eNOS were measured before and after dietary protocol. Results PORH and AChID were significantly enhanced, and SNPID remained unchanged in Nutri4 group, while none was changed in Control group following respective diet. PORH was decreased after administration of indomethacin in Nutri4 after dietary protocol. Protein expression of COX-2 was significantly higher in the Nutri4 group compared to Control group after dietary protocol. Conclusion Consumption of enriched eggs improves microvascular EDV in healthy young subjects. Results suggest involvement of n-3 PUFAs metabolites via the cyclooxygenases pathway in enhanced reactive hyperemia. Trial registration : The study was registered on the Clinical trial under the title: Effect of Enriched QUARTET® Hen Eggs on Cardiovascular Function in Cardiovascular Patients and Healthy Individuals. NCT number: NCT04564690 on September 2020 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04564690).